Japan Entertainment News - April 2010
Mano Erina Headed for Anime Expo | April 30, 2010 |
Popular young aidoru Mano Erina (19) is making a U.S. debut of sorts this summer. With the popularity in recent years of J-horror movies, she can expect a lot of attention at the Anime Expo that opens in Los Angeles on July 1. She will be there to to promote her first movie starring role, in the horror flick "Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro: Kaiki." Directed by Shinozaki Makoto, it is scheduled to be in Japanese theaters in September. It is based on two short films, “Tsukimono” and “Nozomi”, from the omnibus horror television series “Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro” which aired on the TBS satellite channel in 2003. Mano, who just last month graduated from high school, will play two different roles in the big screen version - a university student and a high school girl haunted by the thought she caused the deah of her sister. She also sings the movie's title song "Uchi e Kaerou" (Let's Go Home) in English.
Mano is a member of the huge Hello! Project family. A fan of Matsuura Aya, she entered an audition in 2004, but wasn't selected. She finally made it in 2006 and became a member of Hello! Pro Egg. She went solo in the spring of 2008. At this year's Nihon Gold Disc Taisho music awards, she was named as one of several Best New Artists.
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From Kabuki to Ironman | April 29, 2010 |
Paramount Pictures Japan recently held an online poll to find which celebrity people wanted to see dressed up as Ironman. Beating out singer-actor Fukuyama Masaharu and actor Karasawa Toshiaki was kabuki star Nakamura Shido (37), who donned the costume this week for a promotional event in Tokyo for the Hollywood superhero sequel "Ironman 2." Echoing Robert Downey Jr.'s dual roles of businessman and suited hero, Nakamura presented reporters with a meishi (business card) that said, "Main Job: Kabuki Actor. Side Job: Ironman."
Nakamura needed the help of three staff to put on the powered suit, which was home-made by a fan and won him a recent cosplay contest. The suit is said to have cost more than the ¥1 million prize money. "I got a bit carried away and put it on too early. Now I need to go to the toilet!" Asked to compare himself to the character of Tony Stark, the recently married Nakamura said, "I'm a playboy, too!"
Directed by Jon Favreau, the movie opens in Japanese theaters on June 11.
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Sawajiri Erika Confirms Divorce Rumor | April 28, 2010 |
Actress Sawajiri Erika (24, photo left) has made her first formal statement regarding the recent rumors of her impending divorce. On her official website yesterday she wrote, "I wish to formally state that I, Sawajiri Erika, have determined to divorce my husband, Takashiro Tsuyoshi (45, photo right), and we are in talks under the auspices of my family." The member of her family is believed to be her elder brother, a former actor who now runs a restaurant in Tokyo. The Sankei Sports newspaper reports that a source close to the actress told them that she talked about divorce with her former management agency at least three times before she was dumped by them last September. Last month it was reported that she had set up a personal management company in Spain, but it now seems that was more to do with Takashiro's plans to base himself outside Japan. Sawajiri says that she has been taking vocal lessons and that after the divorce she will resume her acting and singing careers full-time under the Avex entertainment company.
For his part, Takashiro told Sankei Sports he does not want a divorce and has been trying unsuccessfully to meet and talk with his wife. There have been reports of his having debts and other financial problems.
Earlier stories:
Erika-sama Headed For Divorce? (Apr. 26, 2010)
Ohmori Nao, Asami Reina Have Lots in Common
Actor Ohmori Nao (38) and actress Asami Reina (26) are romantically involved, according to today's issue of the weekly magazine "Friday." The pair were recently spotted leaving Ohmori's Tokyo home and out on the town. Both stars have recently seen their ex's tie the knot. Ohmori was thought to be on the verge of marriage to Puffy member Yoshimura Yumi (35) until they split up last autumn. She married another guy on New Year's Eve. Meanwhile, Asami ended a two-year relationship with actor Moriyama Mirai (25) last summer. He announced a shotgun wedding just last month.
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SMAP to Perform Overseas for First Time | April 27, 2010 |
Though they have ruled the Japanese airwaves for much of the last 22 years, SMAP have never performed outside Japan. That's finally about to change, as they are lined up to perform at the Shanghai World Expo in June. The event, to be called the "SMAP Banpaku Fan Tsudoi" (SMAP Expo Fan Gathering) will be held at the 18,000-seat Expo Cultural and Performing Arts Center from 1pm on June 13. Tickets will be free and people can reserve seats using an automated reservation system in the venue on the day.
The last few years have seen more and more Japanese artists, including some of their Johnny's Jimusho stablemates, expand their horizons across Asia. And there is no doubt that SMAP have a large fan base in the region. They were the only Japanese artists formally invited to the expo's opening event on May 1. Expo organizers announced, "They are representatives of Japanese popular culture not only at home but in Asia. We are sure they will add to the festive mood of the Expo."
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Essayist Shishido Yuuko Dies at 77 | |
Essayist and former actress Shishido Yuuko died earlier this month, it was revealed yesterday. She was 77. It is believed that the cause of death was the cancer which she has been battling for the last couple of years. As part of her treatment, she underwent surgery in 2008 to have her stomach removed. Last year the cancer was found to have spread to her lungs and she was regularly in and out of hospital until her condition worsened in March. Her two sons, actor Kai (43) and his manager Hyou, were with her when she died, but her husband, actor Shishido Jo (76) was working. Up until her death Yuuko had been working on the realization of her dream - producing a movie starring her son and with her husband in a main supporting role.
Born in Manchuria in 1933, she met Shishido shortly after she joined the Nikkatsu movie studio in 1956 and they married in 1962. She became a full-time wife and mother but started a writing career in her 40s. Her last work was the novel "Owariyokereba Subeteyoshi" (All's Well That Ends Well) which was published in January.
Oda Kazumasa's Mega Long-Seller
Oda Kazumasa's 2002 greatest hits collection "Jiko Best" has reached a new record milestone with its 400th week in the album charts. The record is based on appearances in the Top 300 of Oricon's weekly chart. Meanwhile at the top of the same chart this week is "Vocalist 4," the fourth album of covers by Tokunaga Hideaki (49). Rock band Bump of Chicken are at No.1 on the singles chart with "Mahou no Ryori/Kimikara Kimihe."
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Erika-sama Headed For Divorce? | April 26, 2010 |
Sawajiri Erika (24, photo left) is rumored to be on the verge of divorce, it was reported yesterday. Last night's edition of the Fuji TV show "Mr. Sunday" carried the story as its top news. A reporter confronted Sawajiri outside her Tokyo home yesterday evening and asked about the rumor, to which she replied only, "Sorry, I can't say anything now. Try again in a few days."
The actress has been married to hypermedia creator Takashiro Tsuyoshi (45, photo right) for only a year and three months, and she has barely worked in showbiz since the infamous "Betsuni" incident in September 2007. She was formally dumped by her management agency last September, but in March she announced that she had opened a management office in Spain and signed a commercial contract with the Takano Yuri beauty clinic chain. She appeared with Takano at a PR event on March 16, and set media tongues wagging yet again with a 6-point privacy agreement that any reporter had to sign before she would speak with them.
Sawajiri and Takashiro are said to be separated and she is staying with her mother. Yesterday's Fuji TV show speculated that the couple have been having money problems. A source told the Sankei Sports newspaper, "Takashiro has provided almost no financial support to his wife for her showbiz or personal expenses. Since she spent time studying in the U.K. and Spain, she has been stuck for money." Another source said that while Takashiro is intent on basing himself overseas, his wife wants to take advantage of the many movie and recording offers that she has received in Japan.
Earlier stories:
Showbiz Bad Boys (and Girls) on the Comeback Trail (Mar. 4, 2010)
New Year Wedding for Erika-sama? (Dec. 30, 2008)
Celebrities in Damage Control Mode (Oct. 2, 2007)
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Bieber Fever Hits Japan | April 22, 2010 |
Canadian pop sensation Justin Bieber (16) performed for the first time for 1000 of his fans in Japan yesterday. He's here in support of his album "My World 2.0." which goes on sale in Japan on May 19. He played six songs, including his hit "Baby." Tweeting about his initial impressions of the Big Mikan, he wrote "Exclusive kicks everywhere..great food..and heated toilet seats." Showing a more adventurous side than some visitors, he tweeted, "Just had sushi dinner here in Japan. Food was incredible, but I didn't know half the stuff I was eating." After Japan, Bieber will head off for appearances in Australia and New Zealand.
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Okamoto Mayo Hit Becomes 2010 Expo Tune | April 21, 2010 |
With the 2010 World Expo opening in Shanghai a couple of weeks away, organizers seem to have managed to dilute the scandal surrounding the event's promo song. Since "Right Here Waiting For You 2010" was announced at the end of March, claims that it was a rip-off of a Japanese 90s hit have spread like wildfire on Chinese websites. Though some people predictably used the opportunity to bash Japan, the vast majority of opinion supported the Japanese artist, popular singer-songwriter Okamoto Mayo (36). Some went so far as to demand the death sentence for Miao Sen, the plagiarizing Chinese songwriter. Expo officials consulted with Okamoto's management agency and a compromise was reached - "Sonomama no Kimi de ite," a hit for Okamoto in 1997, would become the official promo song. This decision was officially announced yesterday, with a comment from Okamoto saying "It is wonderful and an honor to be given this chance to cooperate with the Shanghai World Expo, an event known around the world."
The response from Chinese netizens has been overwhelmingly positive, with calls for Okamoto to visit Shanghai to perform the song. She has been popular in China since the release of a Taiwanese cover of her 1995 debut single "Tomorrow," which sold 2 million copies in Japan. The scandal surrounding "Sonomama..." has seen the song climb the various charts for the first time in 13 years.
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An Heir for Ukon, Haga Kenji | April 20, 2010 |
Kabuki actor Ichikawa Ukon (46) announced this morning that his wife gave birth to a baby boy on Sunday. Though he is on his third marriage, the child is the first for Ichikawa.
Someone else getting a late start on fatherhood is former actor and talento Haga Kenji (48). His wife Mayu (32) gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. The couple got married at the end of 2006, shortly before Haga was arrested for fraud and attempted blackmail. A verdict in his favor was appealed by the Osaka District Court, and a decision is due to be handed down by the Osaka High Court next month.
Okada Doubles Up on SP Duty
Okada Yuichi (29), a member of the Johnny's Jimusho idol group V6, appeared at a PR event yesterday for his latest action movie. It was announced that "SP - The Motion Picture," the big screen spinoff from his 2007 Fuji TV drama series, will be released in two parts. Directed by Hatano Takafumi, the first episode, "Yabou-hen" will be in theaters from October 30, followed by the release of "Kakumei-hen" next spring. Fuji producer Kameyama Chihiro said, "We originally planned to make just one movie, but we had such an abundance of ideas that we decided we had enough for two."
The term SP refers to the professional bodyguards who protect VIPs. In the TV drama, Okada played a rookie SP with a special set of skills. The show won several awards, including a Best Actor prize at the TV Drama Academy Awards. During his 10-month preparation before shooting began Okada, who did his own stunts, said he found he was constantly focused on his role. But that take a toll on his private life? After yesterday's event reporters quizzed him about his recently reported breakup with actress Aoi Yu (24), but Okada declined to comment.
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Nishida Natsu Splits With Yukinari | April 19, 2010 |
Musician Yukinari (31) and talento Nishida Natsu (27) have formally ended their 6-year marriage. Management for Nishida confirmed yesterday that the divorce was finalized at the Tokyo Family Court on Friday. Yukinari, a former member of the hip hop group Da Pump, will pay ¥2 million in alimony. But in a relatively rare decision, he will have custody of their 5-year-old daughter.
The couple married in February 2004 and their daughter was born the following October. But they were reported to be in divorce arbitration as long ago as December 2007. At the time, Nishida spoke publicly about being the victim of domestic violence. Yukinari quit Da Pump a year later and returned to his native Okinawa. Last year he formed a dance unit with Ken (30), another former member of the group.
Real name Tamaki Miho, Nishida was a popular guravia idol and pro wrestler, but quit showbiz after getting married. She has recently joined a new management agency and plans to resume her career as an actress from this month.
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Despite Cancer, Hazama Vows to Finish Earth Marathon | April 16, 2010 |
Talento Hazama Kampei (60) is taking a medical break from his mammoth Earth Marathon, it was announced yesterday. Since December 2008, he has been running and sailing almost non-stop in an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Having crossed the Pacific, North America, the Atlantic and Europe, in January he was discovered to have prostate cancer. After much discussion and deliberation, he decided to keep running while his medical team administered hormonal treatment. He got as far as Turkmenistan yesterday, crossing the border from Turkey on Day 484. But because the country lacks sufficient medical services, it was decided that Hazama would travel to the U.S. tomorrow and spend the next two months undergoing treatment there under a Japanese doctor. He is scheduled to visit the cancer center at the University of California in San Fransisco.
Hazama was quick to reassure his fans and supporters, "My condition hasn't suddenly got worse, so please don't worry. I made this ecision so that I will be able to complete the Earth Marathon. And I also made this decision for myself." But there are concerns about the effect of a 2-month layoff. Even if he starts running again at the end of June as planned, he still has some 4,000km to go.
Earlier stories:
Even Cancer Can't Stop Kampei's Earth Marathon (Jan. 14, 2010)
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Takeshi Bringing Outrage to Cannes | |
The latest movie from Kitano Takeshi (63, photo left) has been selected to compete at this year's 63rd Cannes International Film Festival. Kitano is one of Japan's most successful filmmakers on the international circuit and enjoys huge popularity in Europe. He was recently presented with France's top honor for the arts and currently has an art exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. But this is only the second time he's had a competitive entry at Cannes. The first was "Kikujiro no Natsu" back in 1999.
The Cannes appearance will certainly add to the hype for "Outrage," which marks Kitano's return to the action and violence genre that established him as a top moviemaker. 2003's "Zatoichi" was his last R-15 rating, and that mixed music and dance numbers with a classic samurai tale. "Outrage" is a full-on yakuza flick, with lots of betrayal, mind games, and bloody violence. Kitano said, "It's my first violent movie in a while, so I think there's a lot of expectation. I'm looking forward to the audience reaction." As well as Kitano himself, the strong cast includes Shiina Kippei (photo right), Kase Ryo, and Miura Tomokazu.
The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on June 12 but the Cannes audience will get to see it a month sooner as the festival runs May 12-23. It will be up against such entries as "Another Year" (Mike Leigh), Poetry (Lee Chang-dong), and "Burnt by the Sun 2" (Nikita Mikhalkov). President of the jury this year is director Tim Burton.
Earlier stories:
Kitano Takeshi Receives Top French Honor (Mar. 11, 2010)
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Yoshitaka Dumps Tamaki for Flumpool Bassist? | April 15, 2010 |
It seems that actress Yoshitaka Yuriko (21, photo left) has split with actor Tamaki Hiroshi (30) and has already moved on. A source close to Tamaki told the Sankei Sports newspaper that the pair split up about a month ago. Meanwhile, today's issue of the "Josei Seven" weekly magazine includes shots of Yoshitaka on a recent date with Amakawa Genki (25, photo bottom left), bassist with the rock band Flumpool. After enjoying the cherry blossoms and dinner at a local izakaya restaurant, they returned to Amakawa's apartment. Asked to comment on the relationship, management for Yoshitaka said the pair are just good friends and had stayed up late playing video games!
Yoshitaka and Tamaki started dating after they worked together on the 2009 TBS drama "Love Shuffle." But their mutually busy TV and movie schedules, and Tamaki's music career, kept them apart for long periods. In an Oricon poll last year of the most promising actresses for 2010, Yoshitaka was ranked No.1.
Stylist Lashes Out at Yamamoto Taro & His Mother
A former stylist for actor Yamamoto Taro (35) has claimed that she was swindled and physically abused by his mother. An interview in today's issue of the weekly magazine "Shukan Bunshun," includes the claim that the woman was ripped off to the tune of ¥18 million in salary deductions and fines. Management for Yamamoto say the claims are false and they are preparing a libel case against the woman, who they say was incompetent.
Kato Noriko on the Verge of Divorce
Talento Kato Noriko (37) and creative director Wakatsuki Kiyoshio (48) are said to be negotiating the terms of their divorce. The couple tied the knot on New Year's Day 2006 after a romance of just a few months. They have no children, though at the time of their marriage Kato said she wanted to start a family.
Kato started out as a teen aidoru in 1991 and made her solo music debut the following year. She landed her first TV drama starring role in 1997. In her late 20s she spent a few years studying in France before returning to work full-time in Japanese showbiz in 2002.
UPDATE: In a fax sent to the media this afternoon, Kato acknowledged that she and Wakatsuki have formally filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences in their values and lifestyles.
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Radiohead Pitch In for New Matsu Takako Movie | April 14, 2010 |
In a first for a Japanese production, alternative Brit rockers Radiohead are contributing the theme song for the Matsu Takako movie "Kokuhaku." The 2009 Grammy Award winners have agreed for the song "Last Flowers," to be used as the movie's theme. A live version of the song was included as a bonus track on overseas editions of the band's 2007 album "In Rainbows" but it has never been released in Japan.
"Kokuhaku" (Confession) is adapted from the 2009 bestselling mystery novel by Minato Kanae, which won the 2009 Honya Taisho award. If the movie lives up to its trailer, Matsu (35), who was chosen as the Best Actress at this year's Japan Academy Awards, will have enhanced her solid reputation yet again. She plays a junior high school teacher who, after her infant daughter is found dead, seeks revenge against the two students that she believes carried out the murder. The plot evolves through a series of confessions and the movie also addresses some heavy social themes such as HIV, "ijime" (bullying) and "hikikomori" (social withdrawal). With Nakashima Tetsuya directing, the movie looks to have the visual flair of his other films, which include "Kamikaze Girls" and "Memories of Matsuko." The movie is scheduled for release on June 5.
Watch the trailer for Kokuhaku on YouTube.
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Lady Gaga Loves Her Little Japanese Monsters | |
American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga (24) touched down at Narita International Airport yesterday with a very visible message for all her fans in Japan. In addition to her usual tattoos, her left arm displayed a hand-written message in Japanese: "I love little monsters," a reference to her pet name for her fans. A closer look at the katakana reveals that it was likely written by a Japanese person rather than the star herself. Similar messages ("I love small monsters" and "Tokyo love") were written in black pen on her extremely expensive Hermes "Birkin" bag. Renowned for her outlandish fashion sense, she wore an outfit that seemed inspired by both kabuki stage wear and the tobi style worn by Japanese construction workers.
The singer headed to Kobe for the first of five shows in Japan. After three nights at Kobe World, she will play Yokohama Arena on Saturday and Sunday.
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Wedding Bells and Babies | April 13, 2010 |
Rakugo-ka Yanagiya Karoku (38, photo left) announced yesterday that he got married on Sunday. Speaking with reporters after a memorial service in Tokyo for the late shikaisha Tamaoki Hiroshi, he said that his new bride (42) was an ippanjin who was originally a fan. "She is very good at looking after my eight apprentices. She's well suited to being the wife of a rakugo-ka." The couple started dating last summer, just a few months after Yanagiya ended his 7-year marriage to fellow rakugo-ka Hayashiya Kikuhime (39). He is the grandson of Yanagiya Kosan (1915-2002), the first rakugo-ka to be named as a Living National Treasure.
Babies for Ucchi, Sawamura
Popular former Fuji TV announcer Uchida Kyoko (33, photo center) posted on her blog last night that she gave birth to a baby boy yesterday morning. Popularly known by the nickname Ucchi, she married a Yoshimoto Kogyo employee (36) in July, 2006. Meanwhile, actor Sawamura Ikki (42, photo right) revealed in today's issue of the "Josei Jishin" weekly magazine that his wife is expecting their third child at the end of this month. Dad's on the small screen from this Friday starring in the catchily-titled new TV Asahi detective series "Keishichou Shissoka - Takashiro Kengo."
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Inoue Hisashi Dies at 75 | April 12, 2010 |
Inoue Hisashi (photo left), one of the major figures in modern Japanese literature, died of lung cancer last Friday night. He was 75. A playwright, screenwriter and novelist, he was best known for his comic fiction. His most famous works include the 1981 novel "Kirikirijin" (The People of Kirikiri) and the classic 1960s NHK puppet show "Hyokkori Hyoutanjima." His beginnings were a little more colorful though - his father died when he was four and he was brought up in a Christain children's home. While a student at Sophia University in Tokyo, he made his literary debut writing scripts for the famous France-za strip club in downtown Asakusa.
Inoue started collecting awards early on and they included the top Naoki Prize in 1972 for his novel "Tegusari Shinju" (Handcuffed Double Suicide). "Kirikirijin" earned him the Yomiuri Literary Prize, the Japan Science Fiction Award and the Seiun Award. He served as president of the Japan P.E.N. Club from 2003 to 2007.
According to his family, he was diagnosed with lung cancer last October and started undergoing treatment the following month. He made enough of a recovery to be back at work in February and his own theater group, Komatsu-za, was planning to put on a new play in August.
Happy Days for Hokuyo Duo
Just days after her comedy partner got engaged on a TV show, Ito Saori (35, photo right) has gone one better. On last Wednesday's edition of the "Haneru no Tobira" comedy show, Abukawa Mihoko (35, photo center) proposed to her chef boyfriend and he said yes. But Ito and Toray Arrows captain Shinoda Ayumu (30) are expected to actually tie the knot as early as today. The 193cm Shinoda spoke to reporters yesterday after Toray played in this season's 3rd-place playoff. He said they made the decision to get hitched after Toray won the Japanese Volleyball Premier League last year. Ito is likely to reveal her feelings on this week's edition of "Haneru..." She and Abukawa make up the popular duo Hokuyo.
Earlier story:
Abu-chan's Wacky Wedding Ring (Apr. 8, 2010)
Delico Kumi Ties the Knot
Also newly married is Kumi (33) vocalist of the pop band Love Psychedelico. She announced on her blog at the weekend that she and her hubby, who she describes only as a 43-year-old "ippanjin" (someone not in showbiz), tied the knot on March 9. Management for Kumi said the couple were dating for about a year and have no plans for a formal wedding or reception. Love Psychedelico are scheduled to start a nationwide tour on June 26 in Fukuoka, their first since 2007.
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NHK Keeps Yoda in the Game | April 09, 2010 |
At his regular press conference yesterday, NHK chairman Fukuchi Shigeo (75) said that the public network had no plans to fire sports announcer Yoda Tsuyoshi (44, photo). A weekly gossip magazine recently revealed that the married Yoda was having an affair with a flight attendant, and that she had aborted a pregnancy. Yoda appeared as usual on the "Sunday Sports" show last weekend, after the story was published.
Yoda joined the Chunichi Dragons baseball team as a No.1 draft pick pitcher in 1989 and had a hugely successful first season in 1990. He set a Japan Pro Baseball record with a 157km/h pitch in August of that year, recorded 31 saves, a record for a rookie, and made the All Star game. He was recognized with Rookie of the Year and Best Relief Pitcher awards. But the physical strain of pitching relief took its toll and Yoda never saw the same level of success again. From 1996, he bounced around between several teams until retiring in 2000. He married former TBS announcer Kiba Hiroko (45) in 1992.
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Komuro Tetsuya Back in the Studio | April 08, 2010 |
Producer Komuro Tetsuya (51, photo center, profile) is continuing his gradual comeback to the music scene. Serving a suspended prison sentence last May, when he was found guilty of fraud, he got back to work in February, performing a solo concert. Yesterday he announced his first releases as a producer since his wife Keiko's solo album "O-Crazy Luv" in 2008. The two songs are by the 7-member group AAA (Triple A). "Aitai Riyu" is released as a download today, while "Dream After Dream/Yume Kara Sameta Yume" comes out on April 14. The tracks will be released as a the double-A side single on May 5. "Aitai..." is a medium-tempo ballad with lyrics by Kyasu Morizuki, best known as a writer for Do As Infinity; the dance pop number "Dream..." is a collaboration with Kenn Kato, who has worked with Exile since their 2001 debut.
Komuro has written some 60 songs over the last six or seven months and the Avex label asked him to work with AAA in order to help them "move up a notch."
Earlier stories:
Komuro Gets Off With Suspended Sentence (May 1, 2009)
Abu-chan's Wacky Wedding Ring
Comedienne Abukawa Mihoko (35) made one of the strangest marriage proposals on last night's edition of the "Haneru no Tobira" comedy show. After surviving three rounds in the ring with boxer Stephanie Dobbs (29), ranked No.5 WBC light flyweight in the world, she earned the chance to propose to her boyfriend of two years. Masuya Shuichiro (37), owner-chef of the Osteria Lucca Italian restaurant in Tokyo, was seated ringside with another 400 people, but knew nothing of the plan. Abukawa said, "Please make me your wife!" and the unsuspecting Masuya immediately said, "If you'll have me, I'd be honored." "Abu-chan" is one half of the comedy duo Hokuyo, along with Ito Saori (35).
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Japan Loses Two Veteran Directors | |
The Japanese movie industry lost a pair of its veteran directors in the last week.
Nishikawa Katsumi died at a Tokyo hospital of pneumonia on the morning of April 6. He was 91. Nishikawa joined Shochiku's studios in Ofuna in 1939 and spent 13 years working as an assistant director before landing his first directorial job. He moved to Nikkatsu in 1954 and in the following years he helped shape the career of a young Yoshinaga Sayuri (65) and Takahashi Hideki (66) in movies like 1963's "Aoi Sanmyaku" and "Izu no Odoriko" (poster left) and the late Ishihara Yujiro (1934-87) in "Wakai Hito" (1962). In the 1970s, he directed the golden couple of Yamaguchi Momoe (51) and Miura Tomokazu (58), who would later marry, in movies such as "Shiosai" (1975) and "Shunkinsho" (1976). In 2001, his hometown in Tottori Prefecture built a memorial hall in his honor.
Director and screenwriter Yamanouchi Tetsuya died of heart failure at his home in Hiroshima Prefecture on March 3, it was revealed yesterday. He was 75. After graduating university in 1957, Yamanouchi joined the Toei studio, and made his directorial debut with "Ninjagari" (poster right) in 1964. He is best known for turning out "jidaigeki" or period dramas for the big and small screen, though he often spiced things up with elements of horror and science fiction. He worked on the popular "Mito Komon" and "Oh-oka Echizen" TV series.
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X Japan Named to Lollapalooza Lineup | April 07, 2010 |
It's finally official - X Japan have been formally named as the only Japanese artists in the lineup of this year's Lollapalooza rock festival in August. In what will be the band's long-awaited first concert appearance in the U.S., leader Yoshiki said yesterday that they will be performing new material from an album now in the works. Sources say the album will be a mix of new songs and fan favorites such as "Rusty Nail," and will be all in English. Due for a summer release, it is the band's first original album in 14 years.
Though the band recently played on a rooftop in Hollywood as part of a promotional video shoot, American fans have had to wait more than 20 years to see X Japan live on stage. Concerts have been announced in the U.S. and Europe several times over the years but have never happened, due to a variety of contractual, medical and personal reasons. When they take to the stage in Grant Park, Chicago in early August, it'll be the realization of a dream for the band members themselves, though sadly too late for the late guitarist Hide, who died in 1998. After a hiatus of ten years, the band reunited in 2008, with Hide appearing on stage as a "hologram." Though he has since been replaced in the lineup by former Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo, it will be interesting to see if he "appears" at Lollapalooza.
This year's festival lineup also features the likes of Green Day, Lady Gaga and the eagerly awaited reunion of grunge pioneers Soundgarden.
Earlier stories:
Yoshiki Says X Japan Will Play Lollapolooza (Feb. 2, 2010)
Otsuka Ai Cancels Appearances
J-pop star Otsuka Ai (27) has canceled all upcoming professional engagements while she undergoes testing for suspected acute abdominal condition, which is often caused by appendicitis. Management for the popular singer said she was admitted to hospital yesterday after suffering severe pains, and they have canceled several scheduled radio appearances over the rest of the week.
New Member of the Watanabe Clan
Actor Watanabe Ken (49) is a grandfather for the second time. His son, Dai (25), announced on his blog that his wife gave birth to a baby girl at the end of March. Married since March 2008, they had a son the following August. Dai stars in the popular TV Asahi detective series "Rinjo," which returns for a second season from tonight.
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Hard Gay is Determined not to be a One-hit Wonder | April 06, 2010 |
Comedian Razor Ramon HG (34, photo left) is determined not to be remembered as a one-hit wonder, and is making a comeback from serious injury. Hugely popular for a couple of years with his Hard Gay character, he made a switch from comedy to full-time professional wrestling with the Hustle promotion. But he suffered multiple fractures in his left foot following a dive from the ring at Korakuen Hall last July. He was taken to a Tokyo hospital but told that, as the injury wasn't life threatening, he'd have to wait three weeks for surgery. Wrestling associates introduced him to another hospital where, a week later, he had 12 bolts inserted to hold his foot together. He spent the following two months in hospital and required a skin graft to repair his foot.
Real name Sumitani Masaki, HG has been unable to work since the accident, undergoing two major operations. He's set to make his return as a regular on the TBS variety show "Sekai Waraeru! Journal" later this month. Asked if he was stuck for money, he replied, "Over the last eight months, I've made as little as ¥7,000 ($75) a month. I was like a pimp! But I was okay because my wife was earning about ¥1 million." He married former pin-up girl Suzuki Anna (27) in 2006 and they had a son in July 2008.
Holding the leg brace he wore for several months, HG said yesterday, "I've retired from wrestling and I'm going to get back to TV and acting. I'm aiming to be a two-hit wonder!"
Nagayama Yoko to be an Arafo Mother
Enka singer Nagayama Yoko (42, photo right) is finally realizing her dream. As a girl, she planned to get married and have a baby around the age of 20. Well she was only two decades late in achieving the first of those when she married American businessman Mark Smith (41) a year ago. And yesterday she announced on her blog the happy news that she is expecting her first child. She said she is a five months pregnant but won't be taking maternity leave until after she records the June 23 edition of her regular TV Tokyo show.
Nagayama says she plans to continue her career: "Being a mother and working, these are both precious treasures in my life. As for my work, I will try not to be a burden to my fellow staff." Speaking about having her first baby in her 40s, she said, "To be honest, I am a bit nervous. But I hope I can be an inspiration to other women of the 'arafo' generation." The term 'arafo' has been widely used in the last few years to refer to people, particularly those getting married or having children, who are "around forty."
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The End of the Road for Tohoshinki? | April 05, 2010 |
Korean pop quintet Tohoshinki received plenty of love from fans across Japan and Asia after their weekend announcement that they are indefinitely suspending all performances. Thousands of messages flooded in to their official website, and a spokesperson for the Avex record label said most of them were positive and expressed a desire for activity in the group's fan club to continue. The announcement wasn't entirely a surprise, as there had been rumors circulating for some time. Last July three of the five members - Jejung (24), Junsu (23), and Yunchun (23) - got into a legal dispute with their SM Entertainment management agency about the fairness of the 13-year contract they were signed to and the way profits were shared. The three won a court decision in October and set up a new management company, and several scheduled concerts were canceled.
The dance-vocal group debuted in South Korea in 2004 and in Japan the following year. They have had considerable success in Japan, with several No.1 hits, CD sales of over 5 million, and appearances on NHK's annual "Kohaku Uta Gassen" New Year's Eve concert and Nihon Record Taisho awards the last couple of years. Their last performance was a CDTV Special last New Year. All five members are said to be considering solo careers, and Jejung is to appear in a Japanese TV drama series later this month.
Kimura Takuya in Shanghai
SMAP's Kimura Takuya (37) was in Shanghai over the weekend to start shooting his latest drama series for Fuji TV. "Tsuki no Koibito - Moon Lovers" will air from May 10 and is KimuTaku's first romantic drama in about 10 years. Playing an interior design company president, he will have not one but three love interests, one of whom is popular Chinese model Lin Zhiling (35). The other main female roles will be played by Shinohara Ryoko (36), in her first drama role since becoming a mother in 2008, and Kitagawa Keiko (23).
Though very few Japanese dramas have ever been aired on Chinese TV, KimuTaku has a large following across Asia, and hundreds of fans turned out for a glimpse of him on location around Shanghai, including a restaurant near the landmark Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
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Asano's Other Woman Revealed | April 02, 2010 |
Actor Asano Tadanobu (36, photo left) has been romantically linked with model Diana Chiaki (22, photo right), according to this week's issue of weekly magazine "Friday." Asano and singer Chara (42) took the showbiz world by surprise when they divorced in July of last year, and that news was quickly followed by rumors of another woman. It turns out that she was Chiaki, whose mother is Japanese and father is Irish-American and who is with Elite Model Management in Tokyo. The pair were spotted at a Tokyo restaurant recently, with Chiaki returning to Asano's home in his Mercedes. Management for both celebrities refused to comment on the story.
Asano and Chara were married for 15 years, and she has custody of their two children. Shortly after the divorce, she released the single "Breaking Hearts."
Earlier stories:
Chara Sings of Split With Asano (Jul. 27, 2009)
A Speedy Wedding for Shimizu
Olympic speedskating gold medalist Shimizu Hiroyasu and fashion model Takagaki Reiko (30) announced on their blogs yesterday that they are married. The newlyweds were spotted by reporters at Narita Airport yesterday evening as they headed off for their beach wedding ceremony in Hawaii. A beaming Takagaki was more than happy to show off her Harry Winston diamond ring. A source close to the couple said they registered their marriage at a Tokyo municipal office on March 31, and they plan to hold a large reception at the Hotel New Otani in Tokyo in July.
Shimizu won the 500m speedskating gold at the Nagano Olympics in 1998. Takagaki is a popular model for the "AneCam" fashion magazine.
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